Memphis, the Tony Award-winning musical about a soulful, white radio DJ and his love for a black singer at the dawn of the Civil Rights movement, will end its run on Broadway Aug. 5 after 1,166 regular performances at the Shubert Theatre.

Adam Pascal
Photo by Joan Marcus

Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu, Leap of Faith) directed the musical that has a Tony Award-winning book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (Nice Work If You Can Get It; I Love You, You're Perfect...) and Tony-winning music and lyrics by David Bryan of Bon Jovi fame. The two also collaborated on the musical The Toxic Avenger.

Memphis began previews Sept. 23, 2009, and officially opened on Broadway Oct. 19, 2009. When it closes Aug. 5, it will have played 30 previews and 1,166 performances. A London production is anticipated, but official dates have not been announced.

Memphis won four 2010 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score (David Bryan and Joe DiPietro), Best Book (DiPietro) and Best Orchestrations (Bryan and Daryl Waters).

The musical launched a national tour in its namesake city last October. It currently plays the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. with dates scheduled around the country through May 2013.

Memphis arrived on Broadway following developmental runs at the La Jolla Playhouse (August 2008) and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre (February 2009). Chad Kimball and Montego Glover, who originated the leading roles of Huey Calhoun and Felicia Ferrall in those productions, earned Tony Award nominations for their work on Broadway. Glover continues with Memphis opposite Rent Tony nominee Adam Pascal as Huey.

"The level of love and commitment exhibited by all the members of our company from La Jolla to Seattle to Broadway has been matched only by the enthusiasm of our magnificently ardent fans," producer Sue Frost said in a statement. "For us, this kind of reciprocity represents the heart of live theatre. On behalf of the entire producing team, management team, creative team, the cast, crew, staff of the Shubert Theatre, and all who have helped Memphis to make its mark on Broadway, we say thank you."

Based on a concept by George W. George, Memphis features choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Leap of Faith, Next to Normal, Jersey Boys), scenic design by David Gallo, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley and sound design by Ken Travis. Musical supervision is by Christopher Jahnke.

Songs in the production are "Underground," "The Music of My Soul," "Ain't Nothin' But a Kiss," "Everybody Wants to Be Black on a Saturday Night," "Make Me Stronger," "Colored Women," "Someday," "She's My Sister," "Radio," "Say a Prayer," "Big Love," "Love Will Stand When All Else Falls," "Stand Up," "Change Don't Come Easy," "Memphis Lives in Me" and "Steal Your Rock 'n' Roll."

Here's how producers bill the musical: "Memphis takes place in the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated 50’s, where a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun fell in love with everything he shouldn’t: rock and roll and an electrifying black singer. Memphis is an original story about the cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music changed forever."